I was in-between houses so I put my stuff in self-storage, then I lost my job. I have another job now, but I have arrears with the self-storage company. They keep slapping on approx. £25 every couple of weeks in late payment fess.

They wont allow me to take my stuff out and come to some arrangement, they have changed the locks and my bill just gets higher and higher and whilst I can’t get my stuff out every week I get charged another week for storage

I feel trapped in a vicious circle my bill just escalates and they rub their hands together when my stuff stays in storage for another week.

Help

I am sure that this behaviour is unlawful.

What is the name of the company please and where they based.

First of all, they are only entitled to levy charges which represent administrative losses. Clearly this can't be the case because not only are they leading the charges presumably they are requiring you to pay for the increased storage charges as well.

Secondly, if they have a problem with your account then it is up to them to take some debt collection action such as seeing you in the Small Claims Court. I think that withholding your property in this way amounts to conversion which is contrary to the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act.

Thirdly, they have a duty to mitigate their loss and therefore detaining your goods and charging you for the detention as well as the late payment fees is deliberately increasing their loss and your level of liability.

What is the value of your goods in storage?

It seems to me that the only way forward here is to sue them for conversion which would require that they release the goods and also pay you compensation - although there will be some set off in terms of the money that you owe for the storage. However, I can't imagine that they would be allowed to claim the charges or the storage fees which have been caused by their detention of your goods

I've had a further thought about this. We need to see the T&Cs to see if there is a right to keep your property subject to payment. Such a term might be unfair if it merely increases the debt and interest payable. But we need to know

I've had a further thought about this. We need to see the T&Cs to see if there is a right to keep your property subject to payment. Such a term might be unfair if it merely increases the debt and interest payable. But we need to know

It does say they can do this but more worrying it goes on to say they can sell my goods if I dont cough up the arrears. I find this extemeely worrying.

How can I fix this??????????

They state 'In order to remove your items from storage the complete outstanding balance will need to be paid in full to allow access.'

They are also repetively quote me signing a contract I have tried to reason with them all they do is quote T&C's and ignore the content of my letters.

help

They are refusing to budge. I pay up or they sell my goods. No release of goods and then payment or any kind of arrangement.

Has anyone body else had to deal with self storage companies refusing to cooperate.

what are the T7C's then? They may well not be lawful

You were asked a few days ago to provide the t&c's in full. We cant help you much if you wont provide the relevant info.

If they are refusing to budge, tell it to a judge! It may be that the next step needs to be a small claims action.